SC to decide on export of unused Endosulfan on Sep 30

New Delhi, Sep 27: The Supreme Court on Sep 26 said it will pass an order on Friday, Sep 30 on whether the unused stock of pesticide Endosulfan manufactured here can be allowed to be exported.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia granted four days time to the petitioner, CPI-M's wing Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), to respond to the expert committee report which had recommended the export.

The apex court had on Aug 5 asked an expert panel appointed by it to explore the possibility of exporting the unused stock of Endosulfan manufactured here to other countries.

The apex court had on May 13 imposed a complete ban on production, sale and use of Endosulfan holding that human life is more important than anything else and it did not want even a single child to suffer.

The court's order had came on a petition filed by DYFI seeking a ban on Endolsulfan on the ground that it was causing health hazards, including genetic disorders, in Kerala where it is widely used.

The bench had said it was concerned about the right to life of citizens guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and even companies involved in its manufacturing of the controversial pesticide cannot ignore corporate and social responsibility by ignoring the hazards posed to human lives.

PTI